Poolhouse

Poolhouse is a tech-enabled social entertainment company founded by Steve and Dave Jolliffe, the visionary entrepreneurs behind the globally successful brands Topgolf and Puttshack. The company is redefining the classic game of pool by integrating patented ball-tracking technology with AI-powered gameplay, transforming traditional tables into immersive, interactive experiences. This innovative approach makes the game accessible and engaging for players of all skill levels, positioning Poolhouse at the forefront of the rapidly expanding “competitive socialisation” market by blending sophisticated technology with a vibrant, social atmosphere. The company operates on a dual-revenue business model. Its primary consumer-facing strategy involves creating high-end, owned-and-operated venues that combine state-of-the-art gaming with a premium food and beverage program. The flagship London location, for example, features a curated drinks menu from a world-renowned bar and culinary direction from a Gordon Ramsay Group veteran. In parallel, Poolhouse is pursuing a scalable B2B strategy by licensing its proprietary technology to a global network of hospitality partners, including hotels, casinos, bars, and traditional pool halls, effectively offering a “tech-upgrade” for existing infrastructure. This hybrid model of experiential leisure and technology licensing is driven by a leadership team with deep expertise in scaling high-margin hospitality concepts. CEO Andrew O’Brien (formerly of Credit Suisse and F1 Arcade) and COO Matt Fleming (Vagabond Wines) lead a team with talent drawn from industry leaders like Puttshack and Flight Club. By leveraging proprietary technology for both venue operations and high-margin, SaaS-like licensing, Poolhouse aims to replicate the disruptive success of Topgolf, applying a proven formula to transform the universally popular game of pool into a modern, global entertainment platform. Keywords: pool entertainment, competitive socialisation, tech-enabled hospitality, ball-tracking technology, AI gameplay, venue licensing, experiential leisure, Gen Z entertainment, premium F&B, social gaming, eatertainment, hospitality technology, immersive experiences, interactive gaming, leisure franchise.